LABORATORY OF INFECTIOUS IMMUNOLOGY AND INFLAMMATION

Head: Assist. Prof. Kalina Nikolova-Ganeva, PhD

E-mail: nikolova_k@microbio.bas.bg

Assist. Prof. Valeriya Gyurkovska, PhD E-mail: vali_lqs@yahoo.com 

Candida albicans infections, Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Complement system.

The results of the Laboratory of Infectious Immunology and Inflammation contribute to the experimental immunology and immunotherapy. The elaborated experimental mouse models of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis allow the investigation of the pathogenesis of joint disorders and are suitable for evaluation of potential anti-arthritic agents. The main topics of the laboratory are: 1) to dissect key biological and molecular pathways in acute and chronic inflammatory disorders and diseases, and to understand their relevance to the disease pathology, and 2) to develop new tools and approaches for the prediction, prevention and management of the abnormal immune responses. For the first time, the relationship between the mechanisms of innate immunity (complement system) and the processes of joint destruction has been established and an in vitro model for generation of erosive cells has been developed. With clinical meaning are the results obtained in arthritic patients, which help the identification of biochemical markers characteristic for active and inactive arthritic process. For the first time, the mechanism of action of tyrosine kinase inhibitor tyrphostin AG490 in a model of osteoarthritis has been studied precisely.

• Suppression of functional activity of complement system as a preventive and prognostic approach in experimental rheumatoid arthritis. PI Assistant Prof. Petya Ganova, PhD, Grant DFNP-17-40, Young Scientists and Postdoctoral Fellows Research Funding Call 2017.
• Experimental osteoarthritis in relation to ovarian function: effect of estradiol and follicle stimulating hormone. 2018-2020. PI: Prof. Nina Ivanovska, DSc, Grant DN 13/6 NSF.
• Mechanisms of action of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) in the development of sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). 2017-2019, Project leader: Assistant Professor Valeriya Simeonova Gyurkovska, PhD, NSF

• Ganova, P, Gyurkovska, V, Belenska-Todorova, L, Ivanovska, N. Potential Targets of Kinase Inhibitors in Rheumatoid Arthritis. In: Treatment Options for Rheumatoid Arthritis, 1, Chapter 3, Avid Science, 2018, 43, 1-44.
• Ganova, P, Gyurkovska, V, Belenska-Todorova, Ivanovska, N. Functional complement activity is decisive for the development of chronic synovitis. Immunology Letters, 2017, 190, 213-220. ISI IF:2.68
• Ganova, P, Belenska-Todorova, Docheva, Ts, Ivanovska, N. Berberine Prevents Bone and Cartilage Destruction and Influences Cell Senescence in Experimental Arthritis. Journal of Advances in Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2017, 15, 3, 1-8.
• Ganova, P, Gyurkovska, V, Doncheva, Ts, Ivanovska, N. Isoquinoline alkaloid berberine acts as an inhibitor of osteoclast differentiation. Journal of International Research in Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2017, 11, 4, 131-141.
• Ganova, P, Gyurkovska, P, Ivanovska, N. Osteoclast formation is delayed in the absence of functional complement activity in a model of rheumatoid arthritis. In: Osteoclasts: Cell Biology, Functions and Related Diseases, Nova Publishing, 2016, ISBN:978-1-63483-927-3, 32, 9-41.
• Gyurkovska, V, Ivanovska N. Distinct roles of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) in viral and bacterial infections: from pathogenesis to pathogen clearance. Inflammation Research, 65, 6, 2016, 427-437. ISI IF:2.54
• Gyurkovska, V., Ganova, P., Ivanovska, N. Osteoclast formation is delayed in the absence of functional complement activity in a model of rheumatoid arthritis. In: Osteoclasts: Cell Biology, Functions and Related Diseases. Nova Publishing, 2015, ISBN: 978-1-63483-927-3, 9-41.
• Gyurkovska, V, Ivanovska N. Tyrosine kinase inhibitor tyrphostin AG490 reduces liver injury in LPS-induced shock. European Journal of Pharmacology, 751, 2015, 118-126. ISI IF:2.70
• Gyurkovska, V, Philipov S, Kostova N, Ivanovska N. Acetylated derivative of glaucine inhibits joint inflammation in collagenase-induced arthritis. Immunopharmacology and Immunotoxicology, 37(1), 2015, 56-62. ISI IF:1.10
• Belenska-Todorova, L, Gyurkovska V, Ivanovska N. How complement activation influences the development of chronic synovitis in a model of rheumatoid arthritis. Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology, 45 (1), 2015, 13-22. ISI IF:2.50
• Gyurkovska, V, Stefanova T, Dimitrova P, Danova S, Tropcheva R, Ivanovska N. Tyrosine kinase inhibitor Tyrphostin AG490 retards chronic joint inflammation in mice. Inflammation, 37, 2014, 995-1005. ISI IF:2.45
• Gyurkovska, V, Dimitrova P, Ivanovska N. Tyrosine kinase inhibitor tyrphostin AG490 inhibits osteoclast differentiation in collagenase-induced osteoarthritis. Еuropean Journal of Inflammation, 12, 2014, 329-340. ISI IF:1.50
• Dimitrova, P, Danova S, Ivanovska N. Pro-inflammatory action of Candida albicans DNA in zymosan-induced arthritis. Inflammation Research, 61(6), 2012, 649-656. ISI IF:2.55
• Petya Dimitrova, Nina Ivanovska, Lyudmila Belenska, Viktoriya Milanova, Wilhelm Schwaeble, and Cordula Stover. (2012) Abrogated RANKL expression in properdin-deficient mice is associated with better outcome from collagen-antibody induced arthritis. Arthritis Research and Therapy. 14, 2012, R173. ISI IF:4.30
• Dimitrova, P., Ivanovska, N. How important are innate immunity cells in osteoarthritis pathology. In: Osteoarthritis. Principles of Osteoarthritis- Its Definition, Character, Derivation and Modality-Related Recognition, InTech, 2012, ISBN: 978-953-51-0063-DOI: 10.5772/1487, 519-544.